SAYING hello is far easier than uttering goodbye, particularly in the world of boxing. The lure of the prize ring breeds an enduring but tumultuous romance, and once you?re smitten, the love never dies. Floyd Mayweather Jnr announced his September comeback against Victor Ortiz in a matchup destined to be swallowed by speculation about the Manny Pacquiao showdown it should lead to.
A few hours after Floyd?s flirtatious announcement, an older warrior exhibited far more striking evidence about the relentless power of our game. With one arm on an aide, Michael Watson slowly trundled through a rampant York Hall crowd to take his ringside seat at Prizefighter.
Watson, left clinging to the remnants of his life after a hellacious battle with Chris Eubank, fixed his eyes on the sport that so viciously wounded him almost 20 years ago and smiled. There is no anger or regret inside Michael, only affection, and insatiable yearning, for the violent trade.
Mayweather, despite his numerous layoffs, is yet to experience that lonely, and frequently harrowing, departure from fighting. It remains to be seen how much Floyd has left but he has offered minimal evidence in his most recent ring outings that he?s in decline. But it will happen. There will come a time when the sobering reality of age will shred his bravado and cloud his future.
Which is why news of his return is so pleasing. Whatever your opinion on Mayweather the man, there is little doubt Floyd the fighter is an outstanding athlete with enviable natural gifts. And at the age of 34, the time is right for him to make the most of them again.
One wonders if Manny Pacquiao?s below-par, but still utterly dominant, performance against Shane Mosley provided the proverbial kick up the American?s backside. If so, then the disappointing May contest was a worthwhile exercise after all. Following that fight, Pacquiao?s promoter Bob Arum dismissed Floyd as an option.
“There is a student of the game who knows that Floyd Mayweather won’t fight Manny Pacquiao,” Arum sluggishly boomed. “That is Floyd Mayweather because he knows he can’t win. I guarantee you that Pacquiao would beat the crap out of Mayweather if they ever fought.”
Who knows for certain if Mayweather wants to make nonsense of Arum?s opinion. I?d be surprised, though, if this return was merely a money making exercise for the notorious spender. The incessant criticism he has faced for not meeting Manny will have hurt. The largest egos are often the most fragile and his has been hammered with accusations of cowardice that no amount of gold can heal. Only vindication inside the ring, his favourite and familiar playground, can restore his pride.
Boxing has missed Floyd Mayweather. We have missed his press conference mischievousness, his startling public workouts and the urgent confidence that enlivens his words. We have missed the way he plays his gloved fists like intricate instruments; we want him to dance to the beat with Pacquiao.
Floyd?s owes it to himself, to his career and to his army of loyal fans to give the game all he?s got while he still can. Because, as Michael Watson will tell you, life is far too short for regrets.
Thanks for reading.
